We've had three owners claiming the title of having Kent's oldest pet.

It came after we ran the story about Leo, the terrier, who was celebrating his 18th birthday in human years.

His family thought he might rank as Kent's oldest pet - but three of our readers think differently...

Dee Hudson has a cat called Smudge.

She says: "She's is the ripe old age of 18 years and 3 months in the first week of September.

"We love her to bits. She's such a lady - very petite and certainly the queen of all she surveys."

Colette Huckstepp also has a senior citizen moggy.

She said: "My cat Holly is 22 - maybe the oldest cat in Kent?

"She is still looking good for her age!"

But Denise Marsh, of Westfield Road, Birchington, has an even older animal.

She said: "In 1980 I acquired two male cockatiels who were affectionately known as 'The Birds', or Peter & Paul.

"Their owner was going into residential care so was unable to take them with her so I offered to care for them.

"They were young birds when I acquired them but I don't know the exact age.

"I have a photo of the two of them taken in 1980. They were together for many years until one of them died 10 plus years ago - but the other one is still going strong. I don't know if it is Peter or Paul!"

That makes Peter - or Paul - a marvellous 30 years old. Surely the oldest pet in Kent...unless you know better!